In his shoes: KU student doesn’t let polio get in the way of his ambitions

Ali Hasan, 33, was diagnosed with the virus at the age of seven

KARACHI: There are many students at the University of Karachi (KU) but there is one in particular who stands out among his peers.

Ali Hasan, 33, is a mass communication student who was diagnosed with polio around the age of seven. He can be seen hanging around the university's International Relations (IR) department in his wheelchair, under the shade of a tree with a table in front of him selling pens, highlighters and cell phone accessories. His constant companions are usually the books he is reading at the time.

Hasan spends most of his time on campus — attending classes or selling stationary. The young man is driven to achieve his goals, one of which is to become an investigative journalist.

A day in his life

"Everyone faces tough times," said the grad student. "It's not just about me. Every human being is stressed or facing some troubles in life."

His day starts at home which is the varsity's residential block. From home, Hasan leaves to attend his classes on a motorcycle designed to meet his needs

"Hardship and misery are a part of life," he said. "My class mates and friends are the reason why I have been able to continue with my studies so far."

In the afternoon, he is parked at the IR department where he sells stationary to students and staff.



Recently, Hasan had to undergo an open reduction surgery for his back which is supposed to help with the crippling caused by the poliovirus.

He vividly remembers the day the doctor told his parents he might have contracted the virus. He said that he was seven years old and his parents had taken him to the doctor because he had a slight fever. "The doctor suggested some tests and one of them came back positive for polio," he said. "It is a good thing the government and society are taking this issue seriously and giving it due attention. When I was a child there was no concept of polio drops or vaccination."

In 1997, Hasan appeared for his matriculation examination and passed in second division. He took a break from studies but started again in 2011. He appeared for his intermediate examinations and secured a place in first division. Then he applied for an admission at KU where he was selected on merit to study at the IR department. While studying, however, he realised that what he really wanted to do was journalism and eventually decided to transfer to the mass communication department.

Achieve your goals

While talking to The Express Tribune about the university, Ali said that the KU administration should make the university ramp-friendly for those who were physically-challenged. He added that the USAID programme was in the process of doing this for students in the science department.

According to Hasan, sooner or later the media might lose its credibility. "Media houses are not hiring well-trained or capable people," he said. "This is why the industry is losing its impact." He added that he wanted to follow in the footsteps of men like Saleem Shehzad, a great journalist who was killed in 2011.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19^th, 2015.